Mark 4-6; Psalm 18:1-24
With Mark chapter 4, Jesus begins to teach using parables. In the first parable who is the parable's main subject? (Hint: sometimes the parable is called Parable of the Soils. How does this change if it is called Parable of the Sower?) What are the parables about (4:11, 26, 30)? How is the calming of the storm (4:35-41), the healing of a demon possessed man (5:1-20), healing of Jairus' daughter and the bleeding woman (4:21-43), Jesus sending out the disciples (6:8-13), and Jesus feeding the five thousand (6:30-44) also signs of the Kingdom of God?
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 22
Mark 1-3; Psalm 17
Today we begin the Gospel of Mark. Note how Mark characterizes his gospel (1:1)? What does that say about the content of this Gospel? Something to watch for as you read the Gospel of Mark is the word "immediately" which he uses 47 times. It is though the ministry of Jesus in a hurry. Is it that He is in a hurry to get things over with? Or might there be another reason?
Today we begin the Gospel of Mark. Note how Mark characterizes his gospel (1:1)? What does that say about the content of this Gospel? Something to watch for as you read the Gospel of Mark is the word "immediately" which he uses 47 times. It is though the ministry of Jesus in a hurry. Is it that He is in a hurry to get things over with? Or might there be another reason?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 21st
Sorry it has been a while.
Today's reading ends Genesis. What is your thoughts about the book? Any insights you want to share?
Interestingly the book ends with Joseph's death, his being placed in a coffin, in Egypt. The book begins with God creating life and ends with death. The book begins with possibilities and ends in the confinement of a coffin. The book begins in the Garden of Eden, a place man for Adam and Eve and the book ends in the land where the people will be slaves.
Today's reading ends Genesis. What is your thoughts about the book? Any insights you want to share?
Interestingly the book ends with Joseph's death, his being placed in a coffin, in Egypt. The book begins with God creating life and ends with death. The book begins with possibilities and ends in the confinement of a coffin. The book begins in the Garden of Eden, a place man for Adam and Eve and the book ends in the land where the people will be slaves.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 13th
April 13th - Genesis 24-26; Psalm 9
Did you know that the chapters and verse numbers in Scripture are not original? Our present division of chapters was probably done by Stephen Langton around 1200ad. Verse numberings began around 1550. The first English Bible with OT and NT into verses was the Geneva version of 1560.
How would it change things for you if had a version of Scripture with no chapter or verse numbers?
Did you know that the chapters and verse numbers in Scripture are not original? Our present division of chapters was probably done by Stephen Langton around 1200ad. Verse numberings began around 1550. The first English Bible with OT and NT into verses was the Geneva version of 1560.
How would it change things for you if had a version of Scripture with no chapter or verse numbers?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 12th
There are 27 New Testament Books broken down into the Gospels (Matthew through John), Acts of the Apostles (which is a historical work), Paul’s Letters to the Churches (Romans to 2 Thessalonians), Paul’s Letters to Individuals (1 Timothy to Philemon), Letter to the Hebrews (anonymous), General Letters (James to Jude), and Revelation (Apocalyptic Literature).
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 11th
There are 39 Old Testament books. The OT can be broken into the Law (also called Torah or Pentateuch) which is the first five books, then the History section (Joshua to Esther), the Wisdom section (Job to Son of Solomon), and the Prophets (Major Prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and sometimes Daniel and the Minor Prophets are the rest).
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 9th
Genesis 15: God’s faithfulness. This is one of my favorite stories because it displays graphically the extent of God’s faithfulness. Abram continues to have his doubts, and why shouldn’t: he’s old and still has no direct heirs. God makes a covenant with Abram and becomes the one who guarantees the covenant. This was the way people made covenants then. The maker of the covenant walks through the bloody ditch to signify that “If I break my end of the agreement, you are free to do to me what has been done to these animals.” Does that affect your image of God? If so, how?
Read Through the Bible in a Year - April 8th
Genesis 12: God’s Call and Covenant. How extensive of a call was given by God to Abram? What exactly is God’s promise to Abram? Who will be the recipients (be careful with this one)?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Day 4
How extensive of a call was given by God to Abram? What exactly is God’s promise to Abram? Who will be the recipients (be careful with this one)?
How extensive of a call was given by God to Abram? What exactly is God’s promise to Abram? Who will be the recipients (be careful with this one)?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Day 3
Did you know that the Bible is a collection of 66 books? In fact, the Bible means ‘book.’ It is essentially God’s book for its focus is essentially about how God has revealed Himself to His world. While Christians don’t believe its content was given exactly verbatim, we do believe Scripture to be inspired and authoritative for our lives. There is definitely a human element in Scripture as people continue to be surprised at how ‘real’ the Bible is in the stories of violence, rape, adultery, betrayal, and death. Yet we are very often overwhelmed at how divine it is in revealing God’s self-sacrificial, committed, and compassionate love for the world.
So why do we read the Bible? Not for trivia, but to listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives faithfully and obediently in the light of eternal truths.
Did you know that the Bible is a collection of 66 books? In fact, the Bible means ‘book.’ It is essentially God’s book for its focus is essentially about how God has revealed Himself to His world. While Christians don’t believe its content was given exactly verbatim, we do believe Scripture to be inspired and authoritative for our lives. There is definitely a human element in Scripture as people continue to be surprised at how ‘real’ the Bible is in the stories of violence, rape, adultery, betrayal, and death. Yet we are very often overwhelmed at how divine it is in revealing God’s self-sacrificial, committed, and compassionate love for the world.
So why do we read the Bible? Not for trivia, but to listen for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives faithfully and obediently in the light of eternal truths.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Day 2
How did the serpent twist God’s command (see 2:16)? Did Adam and Eve die? How was God’s grace shown to Adam and Eve’s disobedience? Did their punishment fit the crime?
How did the serpent twist God’s command (see 2:16)? Did Adam and Eve die? How was God’s grace shown to Adam and Eve’s disobedience? Did their punishment fit the crime?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Day 1
Genesis 1-2. Genesis comes from the word meaning ‘beginnings.’ Here we have the origin of the cosmos and people are very important. In many of the religions surrounding the Israelites, their stories of origins (like the Enuma Elish) do not give people a place of prominence. People are often offspring of the gods. People are made to serve the gods. In the Genesis accounts we are made in the image of God. We are to have dominion over the earth. Also significantly, there are not gods of light and darkness, sun and moon, earth and sky. For our God has created even them! This would have served as a real slap in the face to the other religions of the day. It was a way of proclaiming – Our God Reigns!
Does that change how you read Genesis 1? If so how?
Genesis 1-2. Genesis comes from the word meaning ‘beginnings.’ Here we have the origin of the cosmos and people are very important. In many of the religions surrounding the Israelites, their stories of origins (like the Enuma Elish) do not give people a place of prominence. People are often offspring of the gods. People are made to serve the gods. In the Genesis accounts we are made in the image of God. We are to have dominion over the earth. Also significantly, there are not gods of light and darkness, sun and moon, earth and sky. For our God has created even them! This would have served as a real slap in the face to the other religions of the day. It was a way of proclaiming – Our God Reigns!
Does that change how you read Genesis 1? If so how?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 15:15-23
Humans have always struggled with the need to make other people happy. In doing so, we sometimes make decisions that, although popular, may not be right.
Pontius Pilate was guilty of this very act. Pilate had neither courage nor conviction, so he gave in to a crowd that would rather release Barabbas, a murderer, than the Son of God. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior suffered excruciating torture and humiliation because Pilate wanted to please the crowd instead of doing what was right.
When I read this scripture, I wonder how many times in my life, I have caused someone else pain or humiliation because I didn't have the courage to speak up, do what was right or I was just trying to please the majority.
Dear God,
I pray that I will always have the courage to do what is right and not what is popular. Help me to always see that majority should not always rule. I pray that I will have the strength not to compromise my character just to be a crowd pleaser. In your name I pray. Amen
Penny Clower
Humans have always struggled with the need to make other people happy. In doing so, we sometimes make decisions that, although popular, may not be right.
Pontius Pilate was guilty of this very act. Pilate had neither courage nor conviction, so he gave in to a crowd that would rather release Barabbas, a murderer, than the Son of God. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior suffered excruciating torture and humiliation because Pilate wanted to please the crowd instead of doing what was right.
When I read this scripture, I wonder how many times in my life, I have caused someone else pain or humiliation because I didn't have the courage to speak up, do what was right or I was just trying to please the majority.
Dear God,
I pray that I will always have the courage to do what is right and not what is popular. Help me to always see that majority should not always rule. I pray that I will have the strength not to compromise my character just to be a crowd pleaser. In your name I pray. Amen
Penny Clower
Friday, March 19, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
John 18:28-38
After Jesus had been betrayed, the religious leaders led Jesus to the palace of Pilate. They wanted Jesus convicted of charges of blasphemy. In order to get a death sentence for Him, they took Him to the local Roman governor- Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Roman governor from around A.D. 26 to 36 and was unpopular with the Jewish people.
When Jesus was brought to Pilate, the nature of the chief priests’ hearts quickly came apparent. Their hearts had been hardened to Christ’s message. The Jewish leaders did not want to enter the palace. They feared if they entered the house of a Gentile, they would become defiled and not be able to eat the Passover feast or worship at the temple. Therefore, Pilate went out to them and wanted to know what charges they had against Jesus.
Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world-His kingdom was from another place. Jesus explained that He was born into this world to be a king. His authority as king wasn’t of physical force but of spiritual truth. Jesus said, “You are right in saying I am king. In fact, for this very reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Pilate did not want to judge the case and initially refused to sentence Jesus. Pilate heard enough to know that Jesus was not a threat. Pilate wanted to avoid making the Jewish leaders angry, and yet he didn’t want to give in to crucifying an innocent man.
For him to condemn Jesus was for him to condemn the truth. Pilate wanted the leaders to take responsibility and give Him a lesser sentence or let Him go. The Jews objected to Pilate’s decision and were determined to have Jesus killed.
In today’s reading, John reminds us that everything he described took place in accordance with the divine plan. The prophecy that Jesus would be lifted up was fulfilled. Jesus never deserved any cruel treatment. Jesus’ goal was to bring heaven’s glory to us. He lived to honor His Father in heaven and fulfill His will on earth. His death was a sacrifice that gives us hope for eternal life.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Please speak to us through your scriptures.
Thank you that your word is true. We put our trust in you.
In Jesus’ name~ Amen.
Amy Baker
After Jesus had been betrayed, the religious leaders led Jesus to the palace of Pilate. They wanted Jesus convicted of charges of blasphemy. In order to get a death sentence for Him, they took Him to the local Roman governor- Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Roman governor from around A.D. 26 to 36 and was unpopular with the Jewish people.
When Jesus was brought to Pilate, the nature of the chief priests’ hearts quickly came apparent. Their hearts had been hardened to Christ’s message. The Jewish leaders did not want to enter the palace. They feared if they entered the house of a Gentile, they would become defiled and not be able to eat the Passover feast or worship at the temple. Therefore, Pilate went out to them and wanted to know what charges they had against Jesus.
Pilate asked Jesus if He was the king of the Jews. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world-His kingdom was from another place. Jesus explained that He was born into this world to be a king. His authority as king wasn’t of physical force but of spiritual truth. Jesus said, “You are right in saying I am king. In fact, for this very reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Pilate did not want to judge the case and initially refused to sentence Jesus. Pilate heard enough to know that Jesus was not a threat. Pilate wanted to avoid making the Jewish leaders angry, and yet he didn’t want to give in to crucifying an innocent man.
For him to condemn Jesus was for him to condemn the truth. Pilate wanted the leaders to take responsibility and give Him a lesser sentence or let Him go. The Jews objected to Pilate’s decision and were determined to have Jesus killed.
In today’s reading, John reminds us that everything he described took place in accordance with the divine plan. The prophecy that Jesus would be lifted up was fulfilled. Jesus never deserved any cruel treatment. Jesus’ goal was to bring heaven’s glory to us. He lived to honor His Father in heaven and fulfill His will on earth. His death was a sacrifice that gives us hope for eternal life.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Please speak to us through your scriptures.
Thank you that your word is true. We put our trust in you.
In Jesus’ name~ Amen.
Amy Baker
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Luke 23: 13-19
If you were told to jump off a bridge, and everyone around you jumped, would you jump too? Many of us are people pleasers, and are afraid to stand out and to stray from the crowd or popular belief. Many times we are so eager to “jump on the bandwagon” that we often forget to stop and think about whether or not what we are doing is right. In this story about Pilate, Jesus, and Barabbas, Pilate is declaring to the crowd that he has found Jesus to be innocent and will have him flogged and then released. Immediately the crowd began uproar and chanted to kill him and to set Barabbas free. Later on in the passage, Pilate is persuaded and turns to favor the crowd by agreeing to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Pilate did not stand up for what he believed and knew was right and was easily convinced by the crowd. As Christians we are called to be bold in our everyday lives and stand up for what is right and for our faith that we believe in. Jesus was radical and stood out in his every motion to expose all to the Truth of the Lord. The Lent season, take an extra second to think about the decisions you are making in your life, are you being bold about your faith or are you just following the crowd?
-Becca Ash
If you were told to jump off a bridge, and everyone around you jumped, would you jump too? Many of us are people pleasers, and are afraid to stand out and to stray from the crowd or popular belief. Many times we are so eager to “jump on the bandwagon” that we often forget to stop and think about whether or not what we are doing is right. In this story about Pilate, Jesus, and Barabbas, Pilate is declaring to the crowd that he has found Jesus to be innocent and will have him flogged and then released. Immediately the crowd began uproar and chanted to kill him and to set Barabbas free. Later on in the passage, Pilate is persuaded and turns to favor the crowd by agreeing to free Barabbas and crucify Jesus. Pilate did not stand up for what he believed and knew was right and was easily convinced by the crowd. As Christians we are called to be bold in our everyday lives and stand up for what is right and for our faith that we believe in. Jesus was radical and stood out in his every motion to expose all to the Truth of the Lord. The Lent season, take an extra second to think about the decisions you are making in your life, are you being bold about your faith or are you just following the crowd?
-Becca Ash
Monday, March 15, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 15:1-15
In our scripture for today we find Pilate questioning Jesus to determine whether the charges against him were true. Pilate realizes Jesus is innocent, but as is stated in verse 15, “Wanting to satisfy the crowd,” he releases Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate goes against what he knows is right because he did not want to upset the crowd.
How often in our daily lives are we Pilate? How frequently do we go along with something we know we shouldn’t just to please the crowd? We are the face of Christianity today. Everything we do and say is a direct reflection of Christ.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.” (DC Talk)
Let’s examine our actions and attitudes every day to be sure that our words and deeds are supporting Christ not crucifying Him.
David Boatright
In our scripture for today we find Pilate questioning Jesus to determine whether the charges against him were true. Pilate realizes Jesus is innocent, but as is stated in verse 15, “Wanting to satisfy the crowd,” he releases Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate goes against what he knows is right because he did not want to upset the crowd.
How often in our daily lives are we Pilate? How frequently do we go along with something we know we shouldn’t just to please the crowd? We are the face of Christianity today. Everything we do and say is a direct reflection of Christ.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.” (DC Talk)
Let’s examine our actions and attitudes every day to be sure that our words and deeds are supporting Christ not crucifying Him.
David Boatright
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Mark 15:1-5
I have heard this scripture many times before, but I think this is the first time I have read it and realized that Pilate totally caved under peer pressure. Pilate knows what the right thing to do is and is almost begging Jesus to stand up to the priests so that Pilate himself won't have to do it. When that doesn't work, Pilate turns to the crowd thinking that they will want their "king of jews" released. He again prompts them to reconsider by asking them what crime he has committed.
In the end, it is Pilate's wanting to go along and satisfy the crowd that leads to Jesus' death. Even though he knew the decision was wrong, he was unwilling to stand up for what he believed. How many times are we Pilate? How many times do we go along with friends, co-workers and crowds because it is easier than standing out and being one voice in the madness. How many times do we, like Pilate, sacrifice what is right for what is easy or comfortable.
Kali Boatright
I have heard this scripture many times before, but I think this is the first time I have read it and realized that Pilate totally caved under peer pressure. Pilate knows what the right thing to do is and is almost begging Jesus to stand up to the priests so that Pilate himself won't have to do it. When that doesn't work, Pilate turns to the crowd thinking that they will want their "king of jews" released. He again prompts them to reconsider by asking them what crime he has committed.
In the end, it is Pilate's wanting to go along and satisfy the crowd that leads to Jesus' death. Even though he knew the decision was wrong, he was unwilling to stand up for what he believed. How many times are we Pilate? How many times do we go along with friends, co-workers and crowds because it is easier than standing out and being one voice in the madness. How many times do we, like Pilate, sacrifice what is right for what is easy or comfortable.
Kali Boatright
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Hebrews 5:7-9
While author of Hebrews remains unknown, the writings in Hebrews allow us to understand something about him, namely his devotion to God through Jesus. This particular passage also tells of another type of devotion: Jesus’ undying devotion to his Father. This devotion was so great, Jesus allowed himself to be wrongly accused, tortured, and crucified because his Father had commanded it for the salvation of the world. This degree of willful obedience and unquestioning loyalty is something we should strive to match every day, no matter how dismally we may fail sometimes.
While we as humans cannot even hope to attain this type of devotion, we can, through reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship, devote our lives to someone much greater than ourselves, who gave his life and bore the pain of thousands of years of human sin so that we may enter the gates of heaven. We can show our loyalty to God through our loyalty to each other, our love for God through our treatment of each other, and our obedience to God through our obedience to His Word.
Elizabeth Mathis
While author of Hebrews remains unknown, the writings in Hebrews allow us to understand something about him, namely his devotion to God through Jesus. This particular passage also tells of another type of devotion: Jesus’ undying devotion to his Father. This devotion was so great, Jesus allowed himself to be wrongly accused, tortured, and crucified because his Father had commanded it for the salvation of the world. This degree of willful obedience and unquestioning loyalty is something we should strive to match every day, no matter how dismally we may fail sometimes.
While we as humans cannot even hope to attain this type of devotion, we can, through reading the Bible, prayer, and fellowship, devote our lives to someone much greater than ourselves, who gave his life and bore the pain of thousands of years of human sin so that we may enter the gates of heaven. We can show our loyalty to God through our loyalty to each other, our love for God through our treatment of each other, and our obedience to God through our obedience to His Word.
Elizabeth Mathis
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Psalm 110:1-4
Many people have a vague belief in God but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher. But the Bible does not allow that option. Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the one who came to save and to reign. Jesus explained that this Psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater the David, Israel's greatest king. Peter used this Psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all. You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.
As a priest like Melchizedek, Christ will never abuse his divine position, and his reign will be forever. Jesus is more fully described as our High Priest in Hebrews 5.
Faith is knowing without seeing,
believing without fully understanding,
trusting without touching
the One who is ever faithful.
JoAnn Damewood
Many people have a vague belief in God but refuse to accept Jesus as anything more than a great human teacher. But the Bible does not allow that option. Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the deity of the one who came to save and to reign. Jesus explained that this Psalm spoke of the Messiah as greater the David, Israel's greatest king. Peter used this Psalm to show that Jesus, the Messiah, sits at God's right hand and is Lord over all. You can't straddle the fence, calling Jesus "just a good teacher," because the Bible clearly calls him Lord.
As a priest like Melchizedek, Christ will never abuse his divine position, and his reign will be forever. Jesus is more fully described as our High Priest in Hebrews 5.
Faith is knowing without seeing,
believing without fully understanding,
trusting without touching
the One who is ever faithful.
JoAnn Damewood
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Lenten Devotional - 24 Hours that Changed the World
Exodus 3:1-14
God met Moses in the burning bush. He gave Moses the work of leading His chosen people out of bondage. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God answered, "tell them 'I Am Who I Am'. I Am has sent you". God, self contained, needing nothing to exist, proclaimed to Moses the He is the only true God. Now look in John. John stated that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was, in the beginning, with Him. Further, John states, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Jesus, our Savior, our redeemer, is clearly revealed as the very God, the I am.
Caiaphas, the high priest, when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem held power within the nation. Earthly power. He reasoned that Jesus was a threat to his power, and the power of the establishment of his day. He didn't realize that he was merely an instrument of God's to accomplish His will.
Jesus, on the night before his death, met and was questioned by Caiaphas. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the son of God. Jesus answered, "Yes, I am".
Blind to the truth. Blind to our Savior. Blind to their own peril. Caiaphas and the rulers condemned our Savoir.
But, the plan of God was not stopped. Indeed. It was completed! Our Savoir died on the cross. Bled for us. Suffered unimaginable pain. The pain of our sins born in his body. The perfect sacrifice. His love held him there. His love for us.
Now, today, do we play the same role as Caiaphas? Are we the righteous? Do we, through our own "rules" condemn our Savoir? Do we condemn those who don't measure up to our standards of righteousness? Of being a Christian?
But the end is beautiful. Jesus, our lord. Rose from the grave. He breathed again. He lives! Today and forever. He stands before God this very moment interceding for us. We are forgiven. We are free from the curse of death through his blood. We are redeemed by his love. We are forgiven of our sins. We, through no works, actions, gifts, or anything that we have done, are his. Praise Jesus! Our Savoir, our redeemer, our brother, our one true love.
David and Maryann Thompson
God met Moses in the burning bush. He gave Moses the work of leading His chosen people out of bondage. When Moses asked who shall I say sent me, God answered, "tell them 'I Am Who I Am'. I Am has sent you". God, self contained, needing nothing to exist, proclaimed to Moses the He is the only true God. Now look in John. John stated that the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was, in the beginning, with Him. Further, John states, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." Jesus, our Savior, our redeemer, is clearly revealed as the very God, the I am.
Caiaphas, the high priest, when Jesus made his way to Jerusalem held power within the nation. Earthly power. He reasoned that Jesus was a threat to his power, and the power of the establishment of his day. He didn't realize that he was merely an instrument of God's to accomplish His will.
Jesus, on the night before his death, met and was questioned by Caiaphas. Caiaphas asked Jesus if he was the son of God. Jesus answered, "Yes, I am".
Blind to the truth. Blind to our Savior. Blind to their own peril. Caiaphas and the rulers condemned our Savoir.
But, the plan of God was not stopped. Indeed. It was completed! Our Savoir died on the cross. Bled for us. Suffered unimaginable pain. The pain of our sins born in his body. The perfect sacrifice. His love held him there. His love for us.
Now, today, do we play the same role as Caiaphas? Are we the righteous? Do we, through our own "rules" condemn our Savoir? Do we condemn those who don't measure up to our standards of righteousness? Of being a Christian?
But the end is beautiful. Jesus, our lord. Rose from the grave. He breathed again. He lives! Today and forever. He stands before God this very moment interceding for us. We are forgiven. We are free from the curse of death through his blood. We are redeemed by his love. We are forgiven of our sins. We, through no works, actions, gifts, or anything that we have done, are his. Praise Jesus! Our Savoir, our redeemer, our brother, our one true love.
David and Maryann Thompson
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